2024.05.25:Keeku meets Death

Keeku meets Death
Iris allows Keeku to meet her Totem Meros.
IC Date	2024.05.25
IC Time	Daytime
Players	Iris, Keeku, Libby
Location	Caern
Spheres	Garou
Theme Song	Blue Oyster Cult - "The Reaper"

Iris is sitting around in the grass talking to Patrick, whose player is RL waylaid at the moment, so he'll be back whenever he's back. She's got a dude sitting next to her, a spiffy NPC. He looks decidedly normal: olive skin, dark hair, grecian features and maybe in his mid 20's. He's wearing his clothes in layers, and they have a road weary look to them, as does his pack, covered in patches from thousands of places. He is the very stereotype of a traveler.

Keeku makes his way into the area slowly. He has his nose stuffed into a book and is occasionally looking up to make sure he doesn't bump into anything. As he hears the sound of talking though, he follows it to find Iris and the others sitting in the grass. Closing the book, the young and curious Uktena walks over with a wave. He won't interrupt verbally, but his presence might as well be an interruption anyway.

Iris and her friend both lift a hand at Keeku when he starts wandering by and offers his own wave. "Hello" the Theurge offers to the fellow, "Wussup, m'guy? This is Meros, Meros this is Keeku." The guy offers a second wave and a, "Well met, traveler."

Keeku grins, "Nice to meet you Meros. As was mentioned, Keeku Bia. I can give more formal introductions if need be or we can keep it tiny and saccharine? What brings you to the Sept?"

"Tiny is fine." Meros answers with a small smile and a quiet voice. A super calm and chill guy. He points at Iris and says, "I'm her totem, and she asked me to come say hello to friends. George and Broken Fang were napping any how, so I thought 'why not'." Iris nods her head to confirm.

Keeku blinks. "Oh, like, a Totem-Totem? Oh shit, how cool. Now I feel like I'm interrupting a private conversation. Should I go or?" He thumbs behind him and twists a bit to add more weight to the offer. That being said, he keeps going, "I don't know if I fully constitute as a friend, but, eh, hello?"

"Oh no, not at all!" Iris insists, and pats a patch of grass with both hands, "Patrick here was asking about him and I was like hey, why don't you just meet the guy." Meros nods his own agreement this time, and adds, "I'm only a fraction, for the record. A small piece of a greater whole, so I couldn't actually say I *am* the whole spirit. Just a little bit of it." He lifts his head and sniffs at Keeku just a little, "You still have new arrival smell. Where've you been?" He asks like a guy at a hostel that's genuinely interested and eager to know what sights have been seen and experienced.

Keeku does in fact take a seat. "Yeah, but the fraction still has the whole's memories and stuff? Like, are you aware of the other fractions and what's going on with them or is it, like, only when you return to the whole that you know what happened?" For someone that is a Ragabash, Keeku sure likes spirits. At the Meros sniff, Keeku chuckles, "Spirits can tell that huh? Yeah, only been around for a few weeks. I came from the mostly Uktena Roadrunner Sept in Arizona. I was sent here to learn from a more diverse Sept. I've been learning alot actually. This place is great." Meros might be able to tell that he is a Ragabash, but also basically a Theurge as well (Friend of Sorcery Merit).

"I'm the god of death and journies, apparently, so... yeah." Meros answers with a little smirk. "I have my experiences, other parts have their experiences, and we all get together and share with the whole periodically. It's a good habit to get into, staying in touch with family." He nods his head and seems to think that's a pretty good reason to get out and about. "Exploring other cultures and ways is an important part of life, don't stop here. See as much as you can, take it all in. Having fun so far?"

Keeku blinks, "Like, the Grim Reaper?" He looks to Iris, "Should I bow in the presence of a God?" He is serious. "I mean, you should warn a guy when he is about to meet Death incarnate." He chuckles though. "Please forgive me if I do or say something rude. I do not mean to offend. Like you said, meeting other cultures and travelling helps to learn what is and is not appropriate, so yeah, I'm learning how to behave myself. I'm a Ragabash, so it doesn't always come naturally." He winks.

Looking back to Iris, he says, "Well, Iris allowed me to join in on her last umbral travels, so I certainly plan on continuing to go if she'll have me. I am very much enjoying myself so far. What, eh, what does his Lordship Meros do for fun besides visiting family?"

<OOC> Keeku says, "Would there be a roll for knowing what the proper chiminage is for a God o' Death? ;p"
<OOC> Mercy's Messenger says, "Mmmmm.... Lore spirit?"
<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Keeku rolls Intelligence(4) + Lore Spirit(1) (5 dice) vs 6 for 1 successes.
1 2 2 +7 10
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->
<OOC> Mercy's Messenger says, "Or barring that, occult"
<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Keeku rolls Intelligence(4) + Occult(4) (8 dice) vs 6 for 4 successes.
1 4 5 +7 +8 +8 +9 9
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

"No, that's my..." Meros looks to Iris, who shrugs, and suggests, "Great great... great grandkid?" and then they both shrug at Keeku. Meros shakes his head and says, "You're fine. It's not my place to dictate how people act. I'd rather know you as you are than as you think you should be. Just call me Meros. Or... Whatever your people are comfortable. She calls me Hades, if that helps. Or you can call me Steve. I don't really mind one way or another."

Death is less important to Meros, that's just a milestone, it's the journey and the experiences that matters, before and after passing. How do you choose your path? That's what's important. He's partial to oranges and cinnimon, though. Makes the mouth feel lively.

Keeku blinks again, "Oh, I guess I am failing being an Uktena. We're like, supposed to know these things. Now I'm going to have to go home and do homework." He pats his knees, "That reminds me. Iris, is there like, a Sept library or something here? I'd love to learn more about spirits, magic, the occult, and such." Looking back to Meros, he grins sheepishly, "Well, Dine believe in Changing Woman. She is the one responsible for the seasons and cycles of life, death, and rebirth. It is a little hard to call you by a female name when you are a male, but I've also learned a lot about Transexuality, so who am I to assume your gender?" Keeku considers something for a moment and asks, "Um, maybe I'm misremembering some of my training, but do you happen to like oranges as chiminage? If so, I can leave some for you around the Sept."

"No, not as such," Iris replies, sitting in the meadow with Keeku, a stereotypical wanderer of Greek decent, and Patrick who is RLed. "They're big on the oral history thing. BUT, my husband has a huuuuuuuge library with all sorts of weird stuff in it, ask him and he can help you out! If you want to do it reading-style. If you want practical studies, ask me and I'll take you to go look at whatever you want to know more about. Or summon it. Whatevs." she adds with a grin.

Meros smiles and says, "I'm male because the pack expected to see a male when they asked me for patronage. Gender is, to be fair, a bit limited and physically focused in concept, I cant say that I'm either, non, or both, because I'm not physical. I'm an... anthropomorphised cosmic concept of cyclical movement. I do like oranges though, yes. Citrus keeps scurvy away on long journies, and it can make even the dead feel alive for a moment. It's so *tart*."

Libby strolls along one of the paths that leads through the Valley, weaving in and out of the trees, her hands are tucked into her back pockets as she trudges along. Hearing familiar voices she changes her trajectory to bring her closer to Iris, Hopper, Keeku and their guest. Her expression is baldly curious but the Kinfolk stop just far enough that if it seems important she can just turn around and march right back up that path. She's not laden with anything today, she bears her usual set of knives but there's no bow and no prey or foraging basket, not even a backpack.

"Oral history has its place. I know I had to learn my ancestral history through oral traditions, but there's just something about reading." He holds up the book he had his nose in as he was meandering about. "I don't know, maybe its from watching The Pagemaster growing up. I mean, that's like a 90's movie, but time in a Reservation doesn't move like time does out here in the real world. The 90's was banging back home when I was growing up." He smirks. "I'll reach out to Branton though. I would also gladly take lessons from you. I'm, well, I'm touched by Hakahe I'm told. I love sorcery, the spirits, and all things magical and could just spend hours learning about it all."

Looking back to Meros, Keeku nods, "Understood. Do you always present as those expect you to be seen or do you ever get to show yourself as you really are? If, um, if I wanted to see you as you see yourself, what would you look like? Could you change how you appear right now or is it where the fraction that you are is the fraction that you are?" Keeku grins, "And now I think I owe you like, a whole bag of oranges for all my curious questions."

Keeku spots Libby and ooohs, waving to her. "Um," a pause as he vacillates between formality and what Meros wished to be called, "Meros, meet Miss Liberty, Libby, Meros." Yeah, he totally just called her over to meet Death.

"I met an aspect of Hakahe once," Iris says, "REAL nice guy, bit awkward, crafts like *whoa*. He's Hephestus to me." She waves at Libby! And Meros, a guy in his mid 20's with olive skin, dark hair and eyes, his clothes in road weary layers and a pack covered in patches from the places he's been. "Hello, Liberty. Or do you prefer Libby?" he asks politely. He vibes like one of those zen wanderers at a hostle. "Um... Perhaps you should answer him." he tells Iris, and the Theurge *launches* into instruction like a rocket!

"It's us, not them. What we see isn't actually what's there, or all that's there, which is suuuuuch a mind fuck. You know when you go in the umbra and the moon's way bigger than it should be, and you're like '*yeah*, luna rules the umbra!'. That's just you, a sun worshiper sees a big sun and a little moon. You just kind of assume the shape of reality and apply your expectations on the world with your limited senses. It's an unconcious reaction to existing that you cant really control. I imagine our brains would implode if we actually saw reality's reality."

Libby soaks in the scene before her like a fly on the wall, her feral eyes flitting amongst the gathered. When Keeku invites her closer, her gaze momentarily fixes on Iris, giving her a quick toe-to-tip once-over to gauge her reaction to Keeku's invitation. Satisfied by the lack of a death-stare from the Elder, she strolls over confidently, taking her hand from her pocket and extending it forward with fearless affability. "Folks just call me Libby. Howdy, Meros, nice to meet you! Are you new to the Sept?" Her expression shifts subtly as she catches the Theurge's lesson for Uncle Keeku, her curiosity piqued and her attention now split between the newcomer and the wisdom being imparted.

Libby's presence exudes a blend of casual ease and sharp attentiveness amidst the conversation. She remains relaxed, her eyes darting between the interactions around her, absorbing the dynamics at play. Should a handshake take place the Huntress’ calloused handshake is firm.

Keeku whistles as Iris states she's met Hakahe. "Thats, just, crazy. I hope to be as well versed as you are some day Iris. I've got to say, I'm jealous everyone you've come across." He claps his hands, "I mean," and he holds his hands out, palms up, to motion towards Meros. "This is a big day and a big honor." He raspberries quietly to show his mind is blown.

The young native listens intently to Iris, "So wait. Right now I'm seeing him as you see him because you manifested him, but if I concentrate, I would change his appearance to Changing Woman?" Let's see if his own will is strong enough to change his expectation of what he sees and sure enough, one minute he sees a man, next minute he sees a young Dine woman sitting before him. His eyes widen and he looks stunned between Iris and Changing Woman, "You're right, that is /such/ a mind fuck. I see my Changing Woman now. Wait, who are you seeing? Do you see her as I see her or do you see the male aspect as he was?" Woah, Keeku probably sounds like he is tripping balls to Libby. Keeku also brings his hand up to his mouth as Libby holds a hand out. He does the 'eeef' thing with his face as if to say 'I wouldn't do that' and asks, "Like, eh, is that okay? Touching you and all?" In some cultures, touching Death means death to the one who is touching.

"Totem." Meros tells Libby about himself, his voice quiet and his smile small but genuine. "I'm just an oldie that likes to walk around. Pleasure to meet you." Iris, meanwhile, answers Keeku. "Uhhhhh yep, yep that's about the size of it, I think." She looks at Meros and says, "Nope, just the usual wanderer I'm always with. Who looks different from the Meros I met when I asked for patronage. That guy looked like a strong middle aged fellow with a curled beard and *really* nice long hair. Toga, you know. The whole nine for Hades." Meros shrugs easily and sticks his/her arm out to touch. The mind decides what's there, so it feels like an arm for Keeku rather than the coat that Libby and Iris are seeing. Iris, helpfully tells Libby, "Our brains and eyes are super weird and we're exploring the absolute mind fuck that is perceptive reality."

Libtery -is- giving Keeku some bombastic side-eye, then again Libby tends to approach almost everything with a similarly unconcerned ease, so once she's certain whatever he's tripping on isn't contagious she smiles. The lanky Kin's insouciant affability doesn't change at the revelation nor does her willingness to shake the Totem's hand. "I guess I see a Totem?" She looks back to Meros curiously. "I can seee that. You've got some nice patches. Do you have a favorite?" She wonders eyeballing the footprint collection before grinning at Iris, "Yeah." She agrees, "Lots of folks pay good money to experience it."

Keeku is visibly nervous to touch the Totem before him. "I feel like this is sacrilege, but so friggin' cool." He touches the arm gently and tentatively with his middle and ring finger (since they are the same length - you know, flaw and all), "I will never wash these fingers again." Hopefully he means that figuratively and not literally. As Iris talks about Meros though, the form flickers. Keeku tries to hold it there, but the shared reality causes Meros to snap back to his male self and Keeku gains a mild headache. "Ow. The more you spoke about him as a him, the harder it was for me to concentrate on him being a her. Um, wow, I sound high. Super trippy." He laughs a good hearty laugh. "Iris, you're amazing to be around, I hope you know that." It was a genuine compliment. Looking back to Libby, Keeku gives her a thumbs up, "I'm fine, really. Well, other than having my mind melted after meeting Death." He places his hairy palm up to his mouth and stage whispers to Libby with his eyes really wide-open, "That's Death," and head-tilt-nudges towards Meros.

"I do," Meros answers, and pulls their pack around to show off the patches. Real places, not real places, all kinds of places. "This one." It's embroidered with a lumpy cigar shaped rock on a little burst of color, with a black background, and letters reading 'Oumuamua 2017'. "It's not often you get to meet other travelers from so far away. Nice entity, it was a pleasant visit."

Iris tells Keeku, "Yeah you do sound super high. Which is good, it means we speak the same language. If you *really* wanna get in to the mystical, you definitely have to be high. Or feel high. Or like basically just understand that you understand nothing and just let it all in."

Libby really should have -more- concern here. After all for a Kin, especially around this Sept, she's fairly small and crunchy. Barely a fry nib in the great wide world of small and large fries. The revelation earns a laugh, "Hah, Meri's going to lose her shit!" She places a hand on her chest and a few barks of unrepentant laughter escape her. Then the patch collection is being shown off and Libby's drawn in. "Why does that sound so familiar.." She asks herself. "Oh! Right that unidentified floating object in outer space.." Outer. Space. "Wait.. You mean it's a spirit too?! That's so cool!"

Hopper has a way of fading into the background when he wants. He seems contemplative and in no small part enraptured. As a lupus he does not always feel the need to speak, but he does watch, listen and learn.

Keeku smiles and lets out another hearty laugh, "I'm Ragabash. I literally known I know nothing. It's like, our thing to question everything." The young native man adds, "And I mean, I'm Dine. We aren't exactly shy about things like peyote, weed, alcohol, and other substances to put us in the mood to expand our senses. So, if you ever want to have some mystical fun, I'm in! Teach me Sensei!" He is eager to learn. Still, he stands. "Unfortunately though, I have volunteered for guard duty in a bit and have to go. I'm not sure how wise it is to let a Ragabash guard things, but I'm here to do my part to be a productive member of the Sept." He stands and bows to Meros. "It's been an honor. I look forward to meeting you again." He heads out. He is gone for a bit before he returns with some oranges for Meros. He doesn't say anything other than winking and saying, "For you, enjoy," and then he is off again to guard duty and chores.